Wall-supported scaffold

ABSTRACT

A wall-supported scaffold is constructed of a vertical support member; a wall hanger bracket extending inwardly from the upper end of the support member; and a platform bracket slidably supported on the support member to selected vertical heights, the platform bracket including a tubular sleeve extending around the longitudinal member, and a horizontal platform support extending outwardly from the tubular sleeve. The scaffold may also include a wall spacer having a spacer tubular sleeve slidable along the support member adjacent the lower end of the support member, and a foot section projecting inwardly from the spacer tubular sleeve beneath the hanger section. Locking pins are insertable through apertures in the platform bracket and wall spacer and into selected apertures in the support member to lock the platform bracket and wall spacer at desired positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to scaffold adapted from suspension from a building wall, and in particular to wall-supported scaffolding that permits quick adjustment of the height of the scaffold platform.

(2) Description of the Prior Art

Scaffolding is commonly used during building construction to enable carpenters, brick layers, and other construction workers to conveniently reach and work on parts of the building wall or roof that cannot be reached from the ground. Generally, this scaffolding is of a portable configuration, being assembled adjacent the wall during use and then disassembled for movement to another location adjacent the building or to another building site.

The essential function of scaffolding is to support a platform upon which construction workers can stand or walk as they work. Since the workers may need to reach different heights, this scaffolding often includes means for positioning the platform at different levels above the ground. Other features may be included, such as safety rails that are positioned above and behind the platform to prevent the worker from falling.

Scaffolding may be supported on the ground. However, it is also known to hang the scaffolding from the upper edge of a building wall. The present invention relates to this wall-supported scaffolding. Generally, a wall-supported scaffold is comprised of a main vertical support member having an inwardly extending hanger bracket at its upper end that is adapted for removable attachment over the upper edge of a building wall. An outwardly extending platform support bracket is positioned intermediate the upper and lower ends of the main support member to support a platform. Two or more of these scaffolds are used together and are hung along a wall at spaced distances to support the platform.

Numerous examples of wall-supported scaffolds are described in the prior art. However, there still exists a need for scaffolds of this general type that are quickly and easily adjustable to position the platform at different heights, particularly when the adjustment is being made by a single construction worker.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to wall-supported scaffolds that include platform brackets that are readily adjustable to permit positioning of the scaffold platform at different heights.

Generally, the scaffold is comprised of an elongated main support member with upper and lower ends, a hanger bracket attached to the upper end of the main support member for use in hanging the scaffold from the upper edge of a construction wall so that the main support member is in vertical alignment, a platform bracket positionable at selected locations along the main support member, a locking means to releasibly secure the platform to the main support member, and an adjustable wall spacer attachable adjacent the lower end of the main support member to space the lower end of the main support member away from the wall.

While the main support member may be a bar or rod, it is preferably constructed of tubular metal material, e.g., aluminum, to maximize the strength to weight ratio. Even more preferably, the main support member is of a rectangular, e.g., square, tubular cross-section. For example, the main support member may be constructed of 2×2 square tubing having a ¼ inch wall thickness. The length of the main support member will depend on the normal heights of the walls with which it is used. For example, the main support member may be about 8 feet in length, 12 feet in length, or other lengths as desired.

The hanger bracket is generally comprised of an inwardly extending horizontal section having an inner end attached to the upper end of the main support member, and an outer end; and a vertical tab that extends downwardly from the outer end of the horizontal section. When used, the horizontal section rests on top of the building wall, while the tab engages the rear of the wall to prevent the hanger bracket from slipping from the wall. Preferably, the horizontal section is longer that the thickness of the wall, e.g., 2 to 4 times the wall thickness, so that the main support member will be spaced from the wall during use, enabling work behind the main support member. The hanging bracket may also be constructed of tubular metal and welded to the main support member.

The platform bracket is comprised of a tubular sleeve adapted to slide over the main support member; and a horizontal platform support, which may also be of tubular material, having an inner end attached to the upper end of the tubular sleeve and an outer end. A brace extends from the side of the tubular sleeve to the lower surface of the platform support to strengthen the platform support. The platform bracket may also include a safety rail support extending upwardly from the outer end of the platform support. The safety rail support includes means, e.g., U-shaped brackets, to support one or more horizontal rails above and along the outer edge of the platform bracket, to prevent the worker from falling from the platform.

The height of the platform support is adjusted by sliding the platform bracket tubular member up or down the main support member until the desired position is reached. The scaffold also includes a locking member to releasibly secure the platform bracket in position. For example, the main support member may include a plurality of spaced apertures, with the platform bracket containing at least one aperture alignable with a selected aperture in the main support member. The platform bracket may then be releasibly locked at the desired height by sliding a latching member, e.g., a rod or pin, through the platform bracket aperture and the selected aperture in the main support member.

The wall spacer is used to hold the lower end of the main support member away from the wall, thereby permitting the user to work behind the wall and also preventing damage to the wall. Generally the wall spacer is slidable on the lower part of the main support member and is comprised of a tubular section sized to fit over the main support member, and a foot extending inwardly from the tubular section and terminating in a wall engagement surface adapted to engage the wall. Preferably, the wall engagement surface has an enlarged surface area, particularly in the horizontal dimension, to minimize damage to the wall, and to stabilize the scaffold from rotation.

In use, two or more of the scaffolds, all being of the same construction, are hung on a wall at spaced locations by positioning the hanger bracket of each scaffold over the upper edge of the wall. The platform bracket of each scaffold is then slid up or down the main support member until it is at the desired height. The latching member is then inserted through aligned apertures in the platform bracket sleeve and the main support member to releasibly hold the platform bracket at the desired level. The platform brackets of all scaffolds are positioned at the same height.

A platform, which may be a wooden plank, or a metal walkway, is then positioned across the platform supports of all of the scaffolds. If the platform bracket includes a rail bracket, one or more safety rails may by releasibly supported on the rail brackets, e.g., by inserting the rails into U-shaped brackets.

When the worker desires to change the height of the platform, the latching member is sequentially removed from each scaffold, and the platform bracket is slid up or down to the desired new level. The latching member is then inserted through the platform bracket aperture and the aligned newly selected aperture in the main support member.

The following drawings are for the purpose of illustrating the invention and are not intended to be to scale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of identical scaffolds supported on a wall.

FIG. 2 is side view of a scaffold.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated, the scaffold of the present invention, generally 10, is comprised of a main support member 12, specifically an elongated, rectangular, tubular aluminum member in the preferred embodiment; a hanger bracket, generally 14; a platform bracket, generally 16, supporting a platform P, shown in phantom to better illustrate the features of scaffold 10, positionable at selected locations along the main support member; a locking pin 18 to secure platform bracket 16 to support member 12; and wall spacer, generally 20, slidable on the lower end of support member 12, with locking pin 22 to secure spacer 20 in the desired position.

Hanger bracket 14 is comprised of an inwardly extending horizontal section 24 having an inner end attached to the upper end of the main support member, and an outer end; and a vertical tab 26 that extends downwardly from the outer end of horizontal section 24. Horizontal section 24 is shown resting on top of building wall W, shown in phantom to better illustrate the features of scaffold 10. Tab 26 engages the rear of wall W to hold hanger bracket 16 in position. Horizontal section 24 is longer than the thickness of the wall W to provide a working space between wall W and support member 12.

Platform bracket 16 is comprised of tubular sleeve 28 slideable along support member 12; horizontal platform support 30 having an inner end attached to the upper end of sleeve 28, and an outer end. Brace 32 extends between sleeve 28 and the lower surface of platform support 30. Platform bracket 16 also includes safety rail supports 34 extending vertically upwardly from the outer end of platform bracket 16. Each safety rail support 34 includes U-shaped brackets 36 to support horizontal rails R. shown in phantom to better illustrate the features of scaffold 10, above and along the outer edge of platform bracket 16.

The height of the platform bracket 16 is adjusted by removing pin 18 and sliding tubular member 28 up or down support member 12 to the desired position. Pin 18 is then reinserted into an aperture in sleeve 28 and an aligned aperture 38 in support member 12 to releasibly lock bracket 16 at the desired height.

Wall spacer 20, used to hold the lower end of support member 12 away from wall W, is comprised of sleeve 40 and inwardly projecting foot 42 adapted to rest against wall W beneath hanger bracket 14. The position of spacer 20 can also be vertically adjusted by removing pin 22 and sliding sleeve 40 up or down support member 12 to the desired position. Pin 22 is then reinserted into the aperture in sleeve 40 and an aligned aperture 44 in support member 12.

In use, as illustrated in FIG. 1, two or more scaffolds 10 are hung on a wall W at spaced locations by positioning hanger bracket 14 over the upper edge of wall W. Platform bracket 16 is slidably positioned on support member 12 at the desired height and locked in position with pin 18. Platform brackets 16 of all scaffolds 12 are positioned at the same height. Platform P is then placed across platform supports 30, and safety rails R are mounted in the U-shaped brackets 36 of rail supports 34. Spacer 20 is adjusted by sliding sleeve 40 along support member 12 and latching spacer 20 in place with pin 22.

Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. It should be understood that all such modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A wall-supported scaffold adapted to hang from the upper edge of a wall comprising: a) a support member having an upper end and a lower end; b) a hanger bracket adapted for placement over the upper edge of said wall extending inwardly from the upper end of said support member; c) a platform bracket slidably supported on said support member, said platform bracket including a tubular sleeve extending around said longitudinal member, a horizontal platform support transverse to said support member, and locking means to secure said bracket at selected locations along said support member.
 2. The scaffold of claim 1, further including a wall spacer adjacent said support member lower end.
 3. The scaffold of claim 1, wherein said support member includes longitudinally spaced apertures and said locking means is a pin selectively insertable into said apertures.
 4. The scaffold of claim 1, wherein said support member has a rectangular cross-section, and said sleeve has a rectangular opening sized to receive said support member.
 5. The scaffold of claim 1, wherein said hanger bracket includes a horizontal section extending inwardly from the upper end of said support member and a vertical tab extending downwardly from the inner end of said horizontal section.
 6. The scaffold of claim 1, wherein said platform bracket further includes a safety rail support extending upwardly from said platform support.
 7. The scaffold of claim 1, wherein said platform support has a proximal end integral with said sleeve and a distal end, said platform bracket further including a bracing member extending from said sleeve to beneath the distal end of said support.
 8. A wall-supported scaffold adapted to hang from the upper edge of a wall comprising: a) a support member having an upper end and a lower end; b) a hanger bracket adapted for placement over the upper edge of said wall extending inwardly from the upper end of said support member; c) a platform bracket slidably supported on said support member, said platform bracket including a tubular sleeve extending around said longitudinal member, a horizontal platform support transverse to said support member, and locking means to secure said bracket at selected locations along said support member; and d) a wall spacer adjacent said support member lower end.
 9. The scaffold of claim 8, wherein said wall spacer is vertically adjustable on said support member.
 10. The scaffold of claim 8, wherein said support member includes longitudinally spaced apertures and said locking means is a pin selectively insertable into said apertures.
 11. The scaffold of claim 8, wherein said support member has a rectangular cross-section, and said sleeve has a rectangular opening sized to receive said support member.
 12. The scaffold of claim 8, wherein said hanger bracket includes a horizontal section extending inwardly from the upper end of said support member and a vertical tab extending downwardly from the inner end of said horizontal section.
 13. The scaffold of claim 8, wherein said platform bracket further includes a safety rail support extending upwardly from said platform support.
 14. The scaffold of claim 8, wherein said platform support has a proximal end integral with said sleeve and a distal end, said platform bracket further including a bracing member extending from said sleeve to beneath the distal end of said support.
 15. A wall-supported scaffold adapted to hang from the upper edge of a wall comprising: a) an elongated, vertical support member having a rectangular cross-section, an upper end and a lower end; b) a hanger bracket adapted for placement over the upper edge of said wall extending inwardly from the upper end of said support member, said hanger bracket including a horizontal section having a proximal end integral with the upper end of said support member upper end and a distal end, and a vertical tab extending downwardly from the distal end of said horizontal section; c) a platform bracket slidably supported on said support member, said platform bracket including a bracket tubular sleeve extending around said longitudinal member including a rectangular opening to receive said support member, a horizontal platform support extending outwardly from said tubular sleeve, and locking means to secure said bracket at selected locations along said support member; and d) a wall spacer including a spacer tubular sleeve slidable along said support member adjacent the lower end of said support member, a foot section projecting inwardly from said spacer tubular sleeve beneath said hanger section, and spacer locking means to secure said wall spacer at selected locations on said support member.
 16. The scaffold of claim 15, wherein said support member includes longitudinally spaced bracket apertures, and said bracket locking means is a pin selectively insertable into said bracket apertures.
 17. The scaffold of claim 15, wherein said support member includes longitudinally spaced spacer apertures and said spacer locking means is a pin selectively insertable into said spacer apertures.
 18. The scaffold of claim 15, wherein said platform bracket further includes a safety rail support extending upwardly from said platform support, said safety rail support including U-shaped brackets adapted to receive safety rails.
 19. The scaffold of claim 15, wherein said platform support has a proximal end integral with said sleeve and a distal end, said platform bracket further including a bracing member extending from said sleeve to beneath the distal end of said support.
 20. The scaffold of claim 16, wherein said bracket tubular sleeve includes a locking aperture selectively alignable with said support member apertures, said bracket locking pin being insertable through said locking aperture into a selected support member aperture. 